Susan B. Anderson, author of "Itty-Bitty Toys," shares her secrets for fun and easy toy creation. The included giraffe pattern is shaped with simple increases and decreases and finished with a sweet hand-stitched face, perky horns and pompom mane and tail. He measures 20" (50 cm) from horns to hooves – the perfect size for snuggling – and knits up fast and seamless in just a few hours. Because you stuff and stitch together as you go, when you're done, you're done! Finish with a soft and sturdy handmade toy to be treasured for a lifetime.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet Susan B. Anderson ... and the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe! You'll find out all about the skills you'll learn in this knit toy class, and learn about the features of the Craftsy platform.

7:21

Lesson 2. Getting Started

Susan goes over the tools and supplies you'll need to make your Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe, including yarn choices and both circular and double-pointed needle options for knitting in the round.

35:26

Lesson 3. Giraffe Body

Your giraffe's body knits up quickly and easily in the round, shaped with simple increases and decreases. Susan shows you how to stuff the giraffe so it holds its shape, and safely add poly pellets, if desired, to weigh down the bottom.

37:15

Lesson 4. Giraffe Head

Create the giraffe's head and attach it to the body with the whipstitch.

17:37

Lesson 5. Ears

You'll bring in a second color as you create the ears and whipstitch them atop the head. Whether you're creating a perky giraffe or a sleepy giraffe depends on ear placement, so learn how to add them so they'll stay on.

23:07

Lesson 6. Legs

Knit up four legs, add contrasting color hooves, stuff them and whipstitch them to the body. Because you're stuffing as you go, your giraffe is almost done!

18:52

Lesson 7. Tail, Horns and Mane

The adorable details are what make the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe extra lovable. You'll learn how to make pompoms two different ways, using them to create the giraffe's mane and adorn the horns and tail.

15:47

Lesson 8. Spots and Face

Knitted circles make the spots for the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe, going on quickly with a simple whipstitch. Finally, add personality to your giraffe with embroidered facial features. Susan shows you how to embroider your knit toy's face so the stitches do not pull out.

"Susan is a wonderful and patient teacher. She explains every step fully. The project flew by while listening to Susan. I had never made a toy before and this was really easy and fun. The giraffe turned out darling. The hardest part is making the pompoms!" - PeggyE.Colorado USA

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Lesson plan

13:44

Lesson 1. Introduction

Meet Susan B. Anderson ... and the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe! You'll find out all about the skills you'll learn in this knit toy class, and learn about the features of the Craftsy platform.

7:21

Lesson 2. Getting Started

Susan goes over the tools and supplies you'll need to make your Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe, including yarn choices and both circular and double-pointed needle options for knitting in the round.

35:26

Lesson 3. Giraffe Body

Your giraffe's body knits up quickly and easily in the round, shaped with simple increases and decreases. Susan shows you how to stuff the giraffe so it holds its shape, and safely add poly pellets, if desired, to weigh down the bottom.

37:15

Lesson 4. Giraffe Head

Create the giraffe's head and attach it to the body with the whipstitch.

17:37

Lesson 5. Ears

You'll bring in a second color as you create the ears and whipstitch them atop the head. Whether you're creating a perky giraffe or a sleepy giraffe depends on ear placement, so learn how to add them so they'll stay on.

23:07

Lesson 6. Legs

Knit up four legs, add contrasting color hooves, stuff them and whipstitch them to the body. Because you're stuffing as you go, your giraffe is almost done!

18:52

Lesson 7. Tail, Horns and Mane

The adorable details are what make the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe extra lovable. You'll learn how to make pompoms two different ways, using them to create the giraffe's mane and adorn the horns and tail.

15:47

Lesson 8. Spots and Face

Knitted circles make the spots for the Not So Itty-Bitty Giraffe, going on quickly with a simple whipstitch. Finally, add personality to your giraffe with embroidered facial features. Susan shows you how to embroider your knit toy's face so the stitches do not pull out.

The instructor

Susan B. Anderson, Instructor of The (Not So) Itty-Bitty Giraffe

Susan is curator of the Spud & Chloe blog and author of Itty-Bitty Toys and Spud & Chloe at the Farm. She taught herself to knit at 19 and eventually gave up a career as a school teacher to pursue knitting full time.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(41 reviews)

Fun Relatively Easy Toy

by miedward3243771 on July 30, 2015

This is a good class for someone with basic scarf type knitting skills. Good first toy for me.

This is a good class for someone with basic scarf type knitting skills. Good first toy for me.

Susan Is The Best Teacher i Have Had On Craftsy. More Please!

by Athens11 on July 19, 2015

She has a pleasant, fun tone making the class so non-judgemental. Her organization and interest in her students shows in every lesson. As a former educator, I can tell she has taught middle school. Thanks!

She has a pleasant, fun tone making the class so non-judgemental. Her organization and interest in her students shows in every lesson. As a former educator, I can tell she has taught middle school. Thanks!

Super Class!

by rlaba51 on June 30, 2015

My Giraffe,.... Lily

by calculation on April 3, 2015

This has been a project on my list of to do's for a good while. I had the supplies, the book, and when I saw the class on Craftsy, it seemed like a fun way to make my giraffe. Lily is so cute, the instructions were very clear, and Susan looked like she was having as much fun as I was. Thanks for a great class.

This has been a project on my list of to do's for a good while. I had the supplies, the book, and when I saw the class on Craftsy, it seemed like a fun way to make my giraffe. Lily is so cute, the instructions were very clear, and Susan looked like she was having as much fun as I was. Thanks for a great class.

Susan is a GRRREAT Teacher!

by TRivor on March 31, 2015

Just completed my (Not So) Itty-Bitty Giraffe! Just loved the class.

Thank you for helping me gain confidence using dpns. I now have new skills to make knitted toys!

xoxo

Just completed my (Not So) Itty-Bitty Giraffe! Just loved the class.

Thank you for helping me gain confidence using dpns. I now have new skills to make knitted toys!

Frequently asked questions

Confident beginners and up enjoy this class. Access to the online "Knitter's Handbook" videos are included with your purchase if you need a refresher in casting on or working on double-pointed needles or cable needles in the round. The project will captivate knitters of all ability levels.